Fascinating story -- and the author <i>really</i> lucked out in that the technicians were there at the same time, because just showing up in places like this without making arrangements is not a good idea.<p>For comparison, some thoughts about the opposite end of the spectrum for Pacific travel:<p><a href="https://driftingclouds.net/2019/03/12/manufacturing-bula-mass-tourism-in-fiji/" rel="nofollow">https://driftingclouds.net/2019/03/12/manufacturing-bula-mas...</a>
Despite the questionable tactic of forcing oneself uninvited upon the hospitality of a group who hasn’t seen a visitor in 20 years, the writing was absolutely wonderful and it’s the first long-form article I’ve found on HN that I read all the way through in one sitting, which is pretty high praise. I would like to read a book of similar stories at some point.
I despise the attitude of this reporter. Showing up unannounced in this place without doing research, and not having enough supplies to survive. It seems arrogant that the community you impose yourself upon will take you in and support your gallivanting around their homes.
"In fact, Severo said that no-one could recall the last time a non-Polynesian had come to Tepoto – certainly not in their lifetimes."<p>I have a feeling this island is about to get quite a few visits from readers of the BBC...
There's nothing quite so colonialist as jotting down "ISLANDS OF DISAPPOINTMENT" on your map for generations of future travelers to see because the locals responded to your desire to pillage their food supply by threatening you with spears and chucking rocks at your party.
what a wonderfully well written news story from an organization I don't normally expect to invest in long form writing. Andrew Evans is a rising prolific writing journalist.